Former All-NBL forward Adam Ballinger joins United in community role

After a few years of limited access to schools and community programs, Melbourne United is excited to get back to fulfilling its role of championing basketball at the grassroots level.

Heading up this pursuit is former NBL star, Adam Ballinger, who has returned to the club as Schools and Community Programs Facilitator.

Ballinger, who played a pair of seasons with the Melbourne Tigers across his 12 years as a pro, feels as though he has slotted in perfectly since joining the club.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” he said.

“I really want to introduce and spread the good work about basketball to the younger generation.

“We want kids to enjoy basketball, and it feels special to be a part of that.”

Having already started his new role, Ballinger said it has felt special to go into schools during Term 4 and hopefully help kids fall in love with the game.

“At the elite level, you can sometimes forget where things started.

“The work we’re doing; teaching how to dribble, how to pass, all of the basics, you forget that you started at that level all those years ago and that someone was the person to teach that to you.

“Those moments were the things that got me excited for the game, and helped me fall in love with the game. Those moments made a huge difference in my life and helped me on the trajectory to where I ended up.

“Heading to primary schools, a lot of these kids may not have played or really interacted with basketball before, so it’s really cool to help introduce the game to them.”

Ballinger will lead United's schools program in 2022, sharing his knowledge and conducting basketball clinics at primary and secondary schools across Melbourne.

If your school is interested in having Ballinger run a free basketball clinic, please contact the club via community@melbourneutd.com.au.

Ballinger will also manage United's 2 Day Junior Basketball Camps. Where, over the course of two action-packed days, children aged 6-13 years old are invited to participate in basketball games and skill sessions run by Ballinger and his fellow camp coaches.

These 2 Day Basketball Camps are suitable for both boys and girls from beginner to intermediate skill level. Located at four venues this January – you don’t want to miss out. Parents can register here.